Axminster Guildhall has announced plans to champion grassroots live music, giving new talent, known bands and musicians from across the South West the chance to perform.
The monthly Guildhall Sessions are set to launch in 2028 with at least 15 planned events.
Entry to the performances will be by donation to cover the cost of the events and support future grassroots sessions.
A charity concert will kick-start the Guildhall Sessions launch on Saturday, February 6, 2027.
Bands Ragtag Poodles, Hëlenbach, Warthog and Burning Bridges will perform for free for an evening of live music. Doors open at 7pm, the music starts at 7.30pm until 11.30pm.
Bands and musicians interested in performing at future sessions are urged to get in touch.
Leigh Conley, Axminster Guildhall general manager, said the events were an affordable way to enjoy live music.
He said: “We’ve been looking at ways we can do more to support grassroots live music, and Guildhall Sessions is something we’re really excited about.
“There are some fantastic bands and musicians out there, both locally and further afield, and we want to give them more opportunities to perform while encouraging people to come along and discover music they might not otherwise get to hear.
“One of the things we’re particularly keen on is making these events accessible. By offering entry through donations rather than a fixed ticket price, we’re hoping to encourage people to give live music a try, even if they’ve never heard of the bands performing.”
Mr Conley added” “Of course, putting on live music comes with costs, so the support we receive from audiences during 2027 will be incredibly important in helping us establish the programme and make our plans for 2028 a reality.
“We’re also delighted that four bands have agreed to give their time for our February charity concert. It’s a fantastic way to get things started, and hopefully we can raise a really worthwhile amount for a good cause.
“Ultimately, we’d love Guildhall Sessions to become something that both musicians and audiences look forward to every month. If we can create a thriving live music scene, support talented performers and bring more people into the town, that can only be a good thing for Axminster.”
In addition to the live music performances, Axminster Guildhall has announced plans for three new Feastival events for summer 2027.
The Feastival events are planned for June 11, July 9 and August 13, 2027. There will be a combination of street food traders outside the Guildhall, and indoor market of independent businesses and an evening of live music inside the venue.
The organisers say the events aim to create a lively atmosphere in the town centre, encourage visitors to spend time in Axminster, showcase musicians, also food traders and local businesses.
To sign up for Guildhall Sessions, email info@axminster-guildhall.co.uk
